Tag: LGBT

Friday is National HIV Testing Day and Congresswoman Lois Frankel will be hosting a community discussion to highlight the need for testing and steps to take following diagnosis.

The event is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Hagen Park Community Center in Wilton Manors, 2020 Wilton Drive. Representatives from area health organizations and LGBT groups, along with HIV-positive individuals and their partners and families will be included in the panel. Mobile care units will be set up outside the event to provide free testing.

National HIV Testing Day is a day to join with people from all walks of life to promote HIV testing and early diagnosis, and remind citizens that HIV testing saves lives, according to AIDS.gov.

Over the weekend President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.

“I call upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people,” he said in the proclamation. “My Administration proudly stands alongside all those who fight for LGBT rights.”

The Compass Community Center raised the second highest amount among South Florida organizations during a 48-hour online LGBTQ fundraising event.

The Lake Worth center received $3,593 from 114 unique donors as part of the second annual Give OUT Day, a day where thousands of people across the country donate to their favorite lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender nonprofits. The event began 12 a.m. Thursday and was extended an extra day, ending 11:59 p.m. Friday.

Six same-sex couples are challenging Florida’s ban on gay marriage with a lawsuit filed Tuesday in a state court in Miami.

The plaintiffs, which also include Equality Florida Institute, argue Florida laws violate their constitutional rights by denying them the “legal protections” and “equal dignity” that having the freedom to marry provides.

Tuesday marks the 25th anniversary of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.

Started in 1988, the council is an activist organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression throughout the county.

The council has worked diligently with public officials to successfully enact more than 65 local laws and policies that provide equal protection and benefits to the county’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, according to its website.

On Monday, Sen. Bill Nelson became the latest senator to co-sponsor the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The bill is just a few votes away from clearing the 60-vote threshold in the Senate.

If passed, the legislation would prohibit employers from engaging in workplace discrimination on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

In many states, including Florida, there are no laws to prevent an employer from firing or refusing to hire someone because they are gay, lesbian or gender non-conforming, according to the Palm Beach Human Rights Council.

“It’s shocking, but it’s true,” said Rand Hoch, president and founder of the council.

This was posted on the PBCHRC Facebook page Tuesday: “After 9 years (!), Florida Senator Bill Nelson finally signs on as a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, leaving only 2 US Senators holding out. Thanks a lot for your “leadership” on LGBT issues Bill.”

“Millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and our allies across the Sunshine State — and indeed across the nation — will be delighted to hear that Senator Nelson is going to vote for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act,” she said in the news release. “This is an opportunity for all senators to make history. A vote for ENDA is a vote for access to the American Dream and against its biggest enemy: discrimination.”

Lawmakers say a vote on ENDA will be scheduled in the next four weeks.

In celebration of Spirit Day this Thursday, people around the world are encouraged to wear purple or go purple online to stand against bullying and show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

Purple symbolizes ‘spirit’ on the rainbow flag, according to Glaad, the organization behind the event.

Get involved on social media by using the hashtag #spiritday and turning your profile picture purple on Facebook and Twitter.

Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade county residents can vote for their favorite gay-friendly restaurants, hangouts, drag queen and more.

Mack Planet, which hosts monthly business networking groups in Broward County and Palm Beach County, was one of the only local businesses to win last year. The group was nominated the Best Social/Networking Group in 2012 and 2011.

Best Overall Restaurant
Best Pizza
Best Burger
Best Brunch
Best Take Out
Best Diner
Best Place for Dessert
Best Restaurant to Take a Date
Best Place to Pick up Guys
Best Place to Pick up Girls
Best Drag Show
Best Drag Queen
Best Neighborhood Bar
Best Nightclub
Best Coffee Shop
Best Tea Dance
Best Guest House
Best Social Networking Group
Best Happy Hour
Best Drink Specials
Best Business Group
Best Gym
Best Bath House
Best City to Live
Best Movie Theater
Best Live Theater
Best Beach
Best Place to Shop
Best Non-Profit or Community Center
Best Gay Social Event or Party of the Year

In case you didn’t know, October is designated as LGBT History Month by the Equality Forum. Each day in October, a new LGBT Icon is featured on its website with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources.

The Icons, living or dead, are selected for their achievements in their field of endeavor; for their status as a national hero; or for their significant contribution to LGBT civil rights, says the agency. This year’s list includes Nathan Lane, Anderson Cooper, George Takei, Sally Ride and Queen Latifah.

The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council said Tuesday that the Palm Beach County School Board will issue a joint proclamation in honor of LGBT History Month at its Oct. 16 meeting. Last year the board unanimously issued a proclamation.

Last September, the School Board of Broward County was the first major school board to pass a resolution declaring its support of LGBT History Month. Broward County Public Schools is the sixth largest public school system in the nation and the School District of Palm Beach County is the 11th largest.

Equality Forum Executive Director Malcolm Lazin said the recognition by the Broward and Palm Beach County school boards was a “giant step in embracing LGBT inclusion and respect.”

For information about LGBT history in Palm Beach County, check out the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council’s timeline on its blog. The timeline spans from 1977 to present and is updated regularly.

Also, The Huffington Post will be highlighting landmark LGBT moments with “Know Your LGBT History” updates throughout the month.

The LGBT community is the only community worldwide that is not taught its history at home, in public schools or in religious institutions, according to Equality Forum. “LGBT History Month provides role models, builds community and makes the civil rights statement of our extraordinary national and international contributions.”

The Palm Beach Town Council voted 4-1 in August to extend its health coverage to domestic partners, which include gay partners and unmarried couples. Council President David Rosow dissented saying, “It’s against my principals.”

Starting in January, all town employees will be able to insure their same- or opposite-sex partners on the town’s health insurance plan. They also will have access to bereavement leave, family illness leave, domestic violence leave and the employee assistance program.

The Palm Beach Gardens City Council voted unanimously in September to extend full benefits to domestic partners of city employees, including health insurance and access to the city’s health center. The city has offered limited benefits to domestic partners since 2007.

Last month the Boca Raton City Council decided in a 4-1 vote also to provide the full range of domestic partnership benefits, which include health, dental and vision insurance, funeral leave, domestic violence leave, family sick leave and domestic partner leave. Councilman Anthony Majhess dissented saying his objections are strictly a “dollar and cents” issue.